Embrace your digital development

While many may not understand the full implications of the word
that’s on everyone’s lips, digitalization has become a central tenet of modern
business. And as such, executives need to dominate the dialogue if they are to
create value and play an active role in defining the future of their
organisation – and their career.

Stefan Henningsson of the CBS Department of Digitalization, explains more about the course and its aims: “In many ways, this course is about the technologies, the working practices, and the processes by which we can create and sustain this reinvention. And as a leader playing your part in the development of a company, you need to have competence in this area.

“It’s not only about the conversion of analogue things into
digital, or appropriating technologies, it’s about reinvention of companies so
that they are aligned to constant transformation.”

As many of today’s business leaders are discovering,
transformation is becoming the new normal and the effects are being felt in
every sector from pharma to retail to engineering to hospitality. Technology-enabled
innovation, changing customer behaviour and the new regulatory environment is powering
this transformation and as businesses embrace advances such as Artificial
Intelligence, social connectivity, biometrics and Big Data, the business
landscape will become almost unrecognisable.

Or to put it simply: continuous change is not an option,
it’s a strategic necessity. Yet some find it a state that’s difficult to
manage, let alone master.

Henningsson explains: “Crucially, many existing mangers do
not have the background or the necessary skills to manage digitalization; there
is a shortage of talent. But this concentration readdresses that. It’s about
how to lead and be a manger in this tech infused world. To turn unknowns into
knowns. And to embrace the great opportunities provided by digital development.

“It’s worth noting that this change will touch all
industries. Even physical, traditional companies will need to evolve if they
are to survive – look at the toymakers that are fusing physical products with
AI or the mattress makers that are instituting digital sensors in their
products, for example.”

Students that study for this concentration will qualify
equipped with the skills and knowledge to take charge of the agenda and will
learn how to develop appropriate, far-reaching recommendations for the success
of their organisation. And as Henningsson adds: “It isn’t about teaching you to
become a technology expert, it’s about being able to lead tech experts.”

Learn more about the CBS Executive MBA – a top 50 global programme – here.